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Pete, I live near H & R Trains (hobby shop, St Pete, Fl.) and visit their outdoor layout often. They have weekly operating days open to the public, so track/ballast maintnance is a year 'round chore. As you know, our summer months here ('twixt' the Gulf and Tampa Bay) produce some wicked winds and rain. When I came to realize the enormous task of refurbishing ballast after evey "blow" that comes along, I chose an alternative. Now, this won't be an option for you but a new reader attrracted by the subject of "ballast" might appreciate this "alternative." I opted to use sheets of styrofoam (14 1/2" X 48" X 3/4") cut to be applied over the roadbed pressure treated boards (1" X 6" X 3/4"). Outdoor quality, textured, latex paint (4 coats) of an appropriate tint is applied to the styrofoam first, of course. Finally, the track is then fastened over the panels and boards with # 10 X 1-3/4" exterior wood screws. To date, the styrofoam ballest panels have held-up after two tropical storms packing 50-60 m.p.h. winds plus our normal summer squalls (over a 3 year period). Caution: Don't use panels under turnouts (use the 1" X 6" X 3/4" boards). Also, don't use adhesives from panels to boards. Appearance? Not as desirable as true ballast as the ties sit on top of the S. F. panels. Advantages? As the panels "weather", the ties errode (slightly but evenly) into the panels. Replacment of panels is easily done. Panels make for good sound insulation. Panels are inexpensive and very easy to cut, leaving a rough textured appearance on exposed edges. I use "Duro Naval Jelly" [first] and "Never Dull" metal cleaning pads on the rail with no ill effects on the ballast. Yes Pete, this is a "cop out" but with Florida weather considered; reballasting after every summer "squall" just isn't appealing to me. Best of luck with your layout.
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